Diaphragm control valve



J. F. HOWARTH DIAPHRAGM CONTROL VALVE Filed se t'. 27, 1927 April 30,1929.

63 58 vwentoz Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DIAPHRAGM CONTROL VALVE.

Application filed September 27, 1927. Serial No. 222,379.

This invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements indiaphragm operated valves, and while I have in the present instancedescribed the same as used as a priming device for internal combustionengines, I wish it tobe understood that the invention is not limited inits useful application to this particular purpose, as it may be employedin any connection wherein the adoption of a valve for controlling fluidpressure or vacuum is deemed advantageous or desirable.

In carrying out my invention it is my purpose to provide a valve of theaforementioned type which would-embody the desired features ofsimplicity, eflicieney and durability, and which may be manufactured,marketed and installed at a relatively low cost.

It is also my purpose to provide a valveof this character, through themedium of which pressure or vacuum may be readily, accurately andinstantly controlled.

With the above recited objects and others of a similar nature in view,my invention con sists in the construction, combination and arrangementof parts set forth in and falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical cross sectional viewof one form of valve embodying my invention Fig. 2 is a View in endelevation of the valve and showing the manual control device thereofwhich I prefer to use when the valve is employed as a priming device foran internal combustion engine, such as an automobile;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1 looking inthe direction ofthe arrow;

Fig; 4.- is a vertical cross sectional view of a modified form of valve;

Fig. 5 is a s'.milar view of a second modilied or automatic form ofvalve.

In order that the construction and opera? tion of my improved valve maybe readily understood, I will now proceed to describe the same as usedas a priming device for internal combustion engines as, when used forthis purpose, the starting of the engine is greatly facilitated by theadmission, into the inlet manifold, of combustible gases readilymiscible wit-b the air admitted through the carbureter throttle valve.

As is well known, in cold weather, it is very difficult to obtain from acarbureter (assumed to be properly adjusted for continuous running) asufiicient quantity of vaporized gasoline to enable the engine to bereadily started. However, this difiicultymay be overcome by the initialadmission of a proper proportion of a combustible gas to provide thenecessary diiference in volatile matter so that upon the ignition of thecharge the crank shaft will be at once operated with suflicient speed tocause high air velocity past the fuel nozzle of the carbureter, therebyvaporizing the, gasoline to provide the necessary mixture for thecontinuous runnin of the engine.

By installing my va ve between the source of fuel supply and themanifold of the engine, I am enabled to supply the engine cylinders witha highly volatile vapor on the initial operation of the pistons, andmaintain such supply until the engine begins to operate normally withrespect to its predetermined carburetor supply. Furthermore, when myvalve is so'installed, the highly volatile gas is supplied to the enginecylinders only while the crank shaft is being rotated and the carbureterthrottle choked or practically closed, for, under such conditions, therewill be created in the manifold and in the valve a sufficient vacuum toopen the valve and allow the supply of priihing gas to flow to theengine. When, however, the engine has picked up suf ficiently to runupon its normal carbureter supply, and thecarbureter throttle is opened,the vacuum in the manifold line will be so reduced that the diaphragm ofvalve will close thereby preventing the further flow ofthe'highlyvolatile priming gas to the engine. Of course, as thediaphragm valve can only open in the presence of a sufficient vacuum orsuction, should the engine stop, through accident or otherwise, thediaphragm valve will both manual and engine operation is necessary torelease the priming fuel from the.

source of supply, whether such fuel supply be under high pressure, (suchas absorbed acetylene vended in containers) or whether the fuel is aliquid (such as ether) without head or pressure. Inasmuch as manualmanipulation alone will not release the volatile gas, the possibility ofaccidents by unintentional mampu- 'lation of the manual control isobvious.

ticularly in Figs: 1 and 2, is released.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, and articularly tothe form of valve shown in *igs. 1 to 3 thereof, the said valvecomprises a casing formed of sec tions 11 and 12 connected by' the screwbolts 13. Clamped between the contiguous walls of the casing is aflexible diaphragm 14, formed of an suitable material, such as metal,and having centrally disposed therein, a tubular ported stem 15, whichis free to slide in bore 16 in the lower casing section 11. The ports ofthe stem 15 are shown at 17, and, provide communication between theinterior of the stem and the-valve chamber above the dia hragm. Into thelower valve section 11 is t readed a nipple 18, while a union 19 isprovided for connecting the valve with a suitable source of fluidsupply,-such as' a gas chamber for containing the priming gas in thepresent instance. The nipple 18 is provided with a nozzle 20 forming aseat for the needle valve 21 which. slidesin the sleeve 22, ports 23being provided in the sleeve for the exit of the gas from the nipple tothe tubular stem, and thence through the port 17 of the latter, to thevalve chamber above the diaphragm. A body of suitable filter materialshown at 24 is placed in the nipple to prevent foreign particles, suchas carbon, from obstructing or blocking the nozzle 20.

The mechanism for manuall controlling the valve shown in Figs. 1 and 2comprises a check valve 25 normally retained closed on its seat 26 bymeans of a spring 27 and plunger 28:, the spring 27 being housed in thecap 29 and bears at its upper end 'againstlthe top of the cap and at itslower end against the shoulder of the plunger 28. ,Thus, the normalaction of the spring 27 is to force the plunger down against the checkvalve 25 and hold the latter closed against its seat thereby preventingthe action of vacuum of the inlet manifold of the engine upon thediaphragm. The outlet of the valve is indicated by the numeral 30 and,in the present instance, is threaded to receive a suitable pipeconnection, such as a connection with the inlet manifold ofan internalcombustion engine.

For the purpose of manually operating the valve, I provide a mechanismcomprising a lever arm 31 adapted to bear against collar 32 on the outerend or stem of the plunger 28,

,this lever 31 being fastened upon a shaft 31* journalled in the yoke33. A lever31 is also connected with the shaft 31 and has attached toits free end an operating rod 35 which is adapted to be manipulated bythe operator. The yoke 33 is mounted upon a suitable stud 34 forming apartgf the, upper portion of the valve body or casing. The stem of theplunger 28 is hollow, and has located therein a coil expansion spring36, the lower end of which bears against the top of the check valve 25,while the upper end bears against the top or interior Wall of theplunger stem. This spring 36 exerts a light pressure on the valve 25 inopposition to the pressure of a second coil spring 37 which is seated ina cup 38 at the upper end of the-needle valve 21, this spring-holdingcup slidin in a socket formed in the check valve. The s 'din movement ofthe spring-holding cup 38 in t e check valve is limited by the stop ring39 at the mouth of the socket of the check valve 25. Inasmuch as thespring 37 is stronger than the spring 36 and acts in opposition thereto,the spring 36 cannot hold the check valve 25 closed against its seat 26when the pressure or forceof the spring pressed plunger 28 is removedfrom the check valve, but when such removal takes place the check valvewill open slightly to provide a passageway from the diaphragm chamberthrough the outlet 30. The diaphragm chamber is provided with an airport40 for the purposes hereinafter mentioned.

From the above description taken in con nection with the accompanyingdrawings, the

construction and operation of the valve mechanism shown in Figs. 1 to 3inclusive, will be readily understood. Assuming, for example, thatthe'outlet 3O of the valve is connected with the inlet manifold of thegas engine, and that the union 19' connects the valve with a suitablesource of priming gas supply, such for example, as a tank for acetylenegas, and that it is desirable to start the engine by priming the latterfrom such gas supply, the operation is as follows:

The operator pulling upon the rod or wire 357rocks the lever 31 on therock shaft 31 thereby throwing the arm 31 upward against the collar32011 the stem of the plunger 28,

and lifts the plunger from the check valve and against the tension ofthe spring 27. The result is that the holding pressure of the plungeragainst the check valve beingreleased, and the spring 37 being strongerthan the spring 36, such spring 37 will force the check valve slightlyupward from its seat thereby opening slightly communication between thediaphragm chamber and the outlet 30, this upward movement of the checkvalve 25 bringing the stop ring 39 of the latter into contact with thespring-holding cup 38, but at this time the needle valve will ofeoursebe maintained closed by the relatively strong spring 37. However, theslight opening of the check valve 25 permits the vacuum or suction tooperate on the diaphragm 14, causing the latter to move or buckleupward, air of course passing through the airport 40 into the diaphragmchamber beneath the diaphragm. This upward movement of the diaphragmwill cause the ported stem to slide upward and the end of this stembearing against the adj aoent shoulder of the needle valve 21 will forcethe needle valve, and also the check valve, completely open as againstthe action rod and the spring 27 will immediately force the plun er 28down against the check valve forcing the check valve to its seat and, ofcourse, likewise returning the needle valve to closed position, throughthe intermediate parts, thereby cutting off the supply of the priminggas. Of course, in starting the engine, when the latter has been primedsufiiciently to draw in the normal supply from the carbureter, thethrottle valve of the carbureter is opened to furnish such supply andthe operator releases the pull on the rod 35 to close the diaphragmvalve. This operation will only take a few seconds. However,irrespective of the actuation of the manual operating mechanism, whenthe engine has picked up its normal speed and with the carbureterthrottle open and drawing its normal supply from the carbureter thevacuum on the outlet 30 of the valve will be so reduced as to be unableto elevate or buckle the diaphragm, and consequently the needle valvewill be automatically seated or closed by the action of thespring 36,although at this time the check valve might remain open slightly, due tothe action of the spring 37. Therefore, irrespective of the manualoperating mechanism, when the engine is normally operating, the priminggas supply will be automatically cut off. This will be appreciated whenit is realized that when an engine is being cranked for starting thepartial vacuum is approximately 10" of mercury, when the engine startsand idles the partial vacuum reaches 18", while when the throttle valveis opened, and the engine is running normally, the partial vacuum islowered to 6". As the diaphragm will not operate under the action of thevacuum at less than 10''. naturally, the needle valve will automaticallyclose.

It will he noted that employing the former check valve shown in Fig. 1,when the valve is slightly open, should there be any backfire thepressure on top of thevalve will be such as to overcome the action ofvthe spring 37 and will force the valve to closed position against itsseat thereby preventing any damage to the diaphragm by reason of suchbackfire.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a modified form of the device, in thisconstruction the form of check valve shown in Fig. 1 being omitted. Inthe modification the valve body includes the casing sections 51 and 52fastened together by the screw bolts 53 and holding the diaphragm 54.The latter is provided with a ported stem 55 free to slide in the bore56 of the casing, the ports of the stem being shown at 57, and are forthe purpose of allowing passage of fuel from a source of supply which isconnected with the nipple 58, through the nozzle 59 and thence when thevalve is open through the ports 57 and out through the outlet 65. Thenozzle 59 forms a seat for the needle valve 60 which is guided in asleeve 61, the latter havin ports 62 for the passage of the gas, asuitab e packing of filtering mate-' rial 63 being provided to preventforeign particles from blocking nozzle 59. To the section 52 of thecasing is secured a valve bonnet 64 having an outlet 65, and within thebonnet.

is located a plug valve 66, normally maintained against its seat 67 bymeans of the coil spring 68. As will be seen, the plugvalve is hollowor'tubular in form, and has located therein the shank 69 of the needlevalve. A coil spring 70 operates against" the top end of the needlevalve shank 69, while a second spring 71*bears at its lower end againsta collar 71 on the shank, and at its upper end against the shoulder atthe interior of the plug valve shank. The casing is also provided with asuitable airport 72.

When the parts ofthe valve are positioned as shown in Fig. 4, the needlevalve 6'0-is held tightly against a seat by the co-action of the springs70 and 71. To operate the valve, for example in priming an engine, theplug valve 66 is manually lifted, as in Fig. 1, against the pressure ofthe spring 68, thus placing the diaphragm in communication with theinlet manifold of the engine, while at this time the needle valve isheld in its seat by the action of the spring 71, as spring 70, with theplug valve lifted, is no longer under tension and therefore does notoperate.

The engine may now be-cranked, either by hand or power. with thecarbureter valve nearly closed (the idling position) and the pumpingaction of the piston will create a partial vacuum in the inletmanifold,and at the same time air will pass into the diaphragm chamber, beneaththe diaphragm, through the port 72. Thus the diaphragm will be raised;the needle valve opened, and the gas or fuel may pass from the source ofsupply through the valve and out through the outlet 65, as will be readily understood. When the engine is running at normal speed with thecarbureter throttle open, the valve will close as described in theconstruction shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 5 this modification which may be used as an automaticvalve for re-' frigerating systems consists of a valve casingcomprisingsections 81 and 82 which ape bolted together at their outer edges andhold the diaphragm 83, which has a ported central stem 84, free to slidein its guide 85 in casing '81, ports 84: being provided to allow thepas- The operation of this modification will be readily understood. Theport 92 being connected to negative pressure, and the union 86- beingconnected to the positive pressure side, as in a refrigerating system,the pumpingaction of the compressor creating a negative pressure orpartial vacuum on the suction side, operates the device, the saidpartial vacuum acting on the diaphragm 83 within the casing 82.Atmospheric pressure enters through vent 94 lifting diaphragm 83, portedstem 84:, and needle valve 88, allowing the refrigerant to flow throughnozzle 87, thus maintaining a definite partial vacuum ori the expansionor cooling side of the system.

It will of course be understood that the examples of use of my valvewhich I have herein recited are merely by way of illustration, as thereare many other uses to which the valve may be put, other than inconnection with internal combustion en ines and refrigerating systems.For examp e, it may be employed to provide means for preventing conduitsand tanks from collapsing under atmospheric pressure should the air orcontents of the con-' duits or tanks beexhausted, indeed, toautomatically break and maintain a partial vacuum at any predeterminedpressure. It may be employed as a means to automatically admit air inthe return water pipes of a heating system to prevent the suspension ofwater in such pipes; and may also be used as an automatic regulator'tocut in or out auxiliary pumps on a vacuum pipe line in power plants. Itmay be used to cut off the steam supply to turbines should the vacuum inthe condenser be reduced-below a safe pressure, thus preventing endthrust on the turbine rotors or.

consequent stripping of the blades. The invent-ion will also be foundparticularly useful as a controlling valve fOlJill kinds of gas plants,systems and engines.

Therefore, while I have herein shown and described certain preferredembodiments of my invention, I wish it to be understood that it is notlimited to all the precise details of construction herein set forth byway of illustration, nor to the precise uses herein set forth,

1,71o,eea

as modification and variation may be made and the valve applied to otheruses than those mentioned, without departing from the spirit of theinvention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A valve of the class described, having a fluid inlet and a fluidoutlet and a diaphragm chamber, a diaphragm located in said chamberhaving a passage communicating with the inlet and the outlet, and avalve member extending through the passage of the diaphragm and normallyclosing the inlet against the pressure of an incoming fluid and ber,-adiaphragm located in said chamber, a

valve controlling the passage of fluid from the inlet to the diaphragmchamber, and manually operable means normally holding said valve inclosed position againstthe pressure of an incoming fluid, said valvebeing adapted to be opened by the movement of the dia phragm when vacuumis applied to the latter to permit theflow of fluid from the inlet tothe outlet.

3. A valve of the class described, comprising a casing having an inletand an outlet and a-diaphragm chamber, a diaphragm located in saidchamber, a valve member controlling the passage of the fluid from theinlet to the diphragm chamber, a check valve controlling the passage offluid from the dia phragm chamber to the outlet, means normally holdingthe first mentioned valve member in closed position against the pressureof an incoming fluid, and means for normally holding the check valve inclosed position, said valve member being operable by the movement of thediaphragm to open communication between the inlet andthe valve chamberunder the application of a vacuum on the outlet, when the check valve isopened.

4. A valve of the class described, comprising a casing having ,an inletand an outlet, a valve controlling the passage of fluid through theinlet to the valve casing, asecond valve controlling the'passage offluid from the valve casing to the outlet when in closed position toclose the first named valve, said first mentionedvalve being adapted tobe opened for the passage of an incoming fluid, upon the application ofa vacuum when the second valve is opened.

5'. A valve of the class described, comprising a valve casing having aninlet and an outlet and a diaphragm chamber, a diaphragm located withinthe chamber,

a valve operable by the movement of the diaphragm, a valve cpntrollingthe flow of fluid from the inlet 130 i and operating to the diaphragmchamber, means for normally holding said valve in closed position, acheck valve operating with the first mentioned valve and controlling apassageway between the diaphragm chamber and the outlet, and means fornormally holding said second valve in closed position, the constructionbeing such that when the second valve is open, vacuum Wouldbe exercisedupon the diaphragm to open the first mentioned valve and permit thepassage of fluid, under pressure, through the inlet, the diaphragmchamber, and thence through the outlet.

6. A valve of the class described, comprising a valve casin having aninlet and an outlet and a diaphragm chamber, a flexible diaphragmlocated in said chamber, a needle valve controlling the passage of fluidfrom the inlet to the diaphragm chamber, spring devices normallyholdingsaid needle valve in closed position, a check valve as'sociatedwith the needle valve and controlling a pas sage from the diaphragmchamber to'the outlet, and spring devices normally holding'the checkvalve in closed position, the said needle valve being opened by theaction of the diaphragm when thd check valve is opened and vacuum isexerted upon the dia hragm.

7. A valve of the class descri ed comprising a casing havin an inlet andan outlet and a diaphragm c cated in the chamber, a nozzle leading from"the inlet to the diaphragm chamber, a valve .check valve in closedmally holding said needle the valve casin controlling said nozzle andnormally closing the same, a check valve controllin a passage betweenthe diaphragm cham er and the outlet, means normally holding suchposition, and means operable to open the check valve and permit suctionto be exerted upon the diaphragm to open the valve controlling thenozzle to admit the passage of the fluid, under pressure, from the inletthrough the diaphragm chamber and thence through the outlet.

8. A valve of the class described, comprising a casing having an inletand an outlet and a diaphragm chamber, a ported stem projecting from theinlet into the diaphragm chamber, a diaphragm located wit in the chamberand connected with said stem, a nozzle communicating with the valveinlet and projecting into the stem, a needle valve controlling saidnozzle, a spring device norvalve in closed position, a check valvecontrolling a passage from the diaphragm to the valve casing outlet, aspring device normally holding such check valve in closed position, andmeans for opening the check valve against the action of its springdevice to cause the operation of the diaphragm under the exercise of avacuum to open the needle valve and permit the passage of fluid from theinlet through to the outlet.

9. A valve 0 the class described, comprisating the plunger-to amber, adiaphragm loing a casing having an inlet and an outlet and a diaphragm camber, a diaphragm located withirnthe said chamber, a hollow stemconnected with the diaphragm and communicasing with the inlet, a valvecontrolling the passage of the fluid from the inlet through the hollowstem to the diaphragm chamber, a check valve controlling the passageof'fluid from the diaphragm chamber to the outlet, spring devicesnormally holding such controlling valves in closed osition against thepressure of an incoming fluid, and means for operating the valves toopen the same and permit the passage of the fluid from the inlet throughthe valve casing to the outlet.

10. A valve of the class described, comprising a casing having an inletand an outlet and a diaphragm chamber, a diaphragm located within thechamber, a nozzle located between the inlet and the diaphragm chamher, aneedle valve controlling said nozzle, a check valve controlling apassage between the diaphragm chamber and the outlet, spring devicesnormally holding the needle valve in closed position on the nozzle, aspring tensioned plunger normally holding the check valve in closedposition, and means for operermit the opening of the check valve, therey causing the needle valve to be opened upon the exercise of a vacuumupon the diaphragm.

A valve of the class described, comprising a casing having a valve inletand an outlet and a diaphragm chamber, a diaphragm located within thechamber, a 1101- low stern connected with said diaphragm andcommumcating with the valve inlet and havmg ports therein a nozzlecommunicating with the inlet an projecting into the stem, said nozzlehaving ports therein, a needle valve controlling the flow of the fluidthrough the nozzle, spring devices normally holding the needle valve inclosed position, a check valve controlling a passage between thediaphragm chamber and the outlet, spring devices normally holding the'check valve in closed position, and means for operating the check valveto permit the action of the diaphragm, under vacuum, to open the needlevalve. 7

12. A valve of the class described having a fluid inlet and a fluidoutlet, a valve mechanism controlling a assage between the 1n-- let andthe outlet and including a fluid pressure actuated valve adapted to beopened upon the application of vacuum to permit the flow of fluid fromthe inlet to the outlet,

and further including pressure responsive means operating to close thepassage between the outlet and the valve upon a reduction in theinitially applied operative vacuum.

Signed at New York cit in the county of New York and State of ew Yorkthis 21st day of September 'A. D. 1927.

JOHN FRnbmuoK HOWARTH.

